Course Summary
The aim of our blended Certificate in Buildings Archaeology (Level 7) is to provide an introduction to historic building recording and conservation in Ireland over the course of three, 13 week modules. The aim of this programme is that participants will understand the evidence for medieval and post medieval settlement forms in Ireland and be able to demonstrate knowledge of material construction, architectural styles and the mechanisms of decay and deterioration across a range of building types and monument forms.
Students will be familiar with the origins and philosophy behind historic building conservation, be cognisant of the legislative protection underpinning their conservation and apply the principles of best conservation practice. Participants learn to evaluate vulnerabilities in historic monuments and stone buildings and be able to apply a methodological approach to assessing stone monuments and ruinous buildings in Ireland.
This unique Certificate in Buildings Archaeology is suitable for people who want to upskill in this area and are working/interested in the below:
- Practising professionals (archaeologists, county heritage officers, county conservation officers, architects, engineers, local authority staff i.e. roads, planners, housing, waterways) who wish to gain CPD.
- Owners, or prospective owners, of historic buildings (Listed Protected Structures) who wish to understand the guiding conservation principles and practice utilised in the research, recording, reuse and restoration of the historic built environment in Ireland.
- Members of archaeological and historical societies who wish to broaden their knowledge.
- Individuals who wish to build towards a degree and/or career in archaeology (such as Leaving Certificate students, recent school-leavers who are taking a gap year, those considering a career change).
- Members of the general public, nationally and internationally, with an interest in archaeological and architectural stone monuments and historic buildings.
- Non-nationals now working in Irish archaeology who wish to gain relevant background.
- Professionals with a hobby interest in archaeology.
- Overseas students seeking to gain transferable academic credit (15 credits is equivalent to 5 quarter credits in the US system).
- Those living outside Ireland with an interest in all things Irish.
There is currently a shortage of skilled personnel in recording historic built heritage in Ireland and this programme meets this immediate demand.
This is the only blended Level 7 Certificate in Buildings Archaeology programme in Ireland.
Other archaeology certificate courses you may be interested in: https://www.atu.ie/flexible-learning-courses-in-archaeology
This certificate course will be delivered by Dr Shirley Markley.
Key Course Information
The Level 7 Certificate in Buildings Archaeology is designed to provide the learner with a comprehensive introduction to the methodological approach in recording, researching, describing and evaluating historic monuments and ruinous buildings across medieval and post medieval Ireland in line with international standards, principals and best conservation practice. Only accurate recording can inform appropriate historic building conservation.
This 15-credit course comprises 3 modules, taught online and in person over 1 year. These modules include:
Module 1-Constructing The Past-The Archaeology of medieval and post medieval settlement in Ireland AD400-1900. (Taught in Semester 1)
Module 2-Historic Buildings: Origins, Principles and Recording, taught in Semester 1.
Module 3-Historic Buildings-Conservation and Practice taught in Semester 2.
Live Lectures: Module 1 and Module 3 are fully online modules on our Level 7 Certificate in Buildings Archaeology and will entail 2 hours of lecturing per week. The live lectures will be recorded and made available on the module Moodle pages, in addition to power points and additional reading material.
Module 2 is taught both online and in person (blended learning) comprising 9 weeks of two hour live online lectures per week followed by 4 consecutive days of on campus, in person practical’s in Sligo. Students should set aside 5-6 study hours per week per 5 credit module.
Assessment: All three modules will have 2 pieces of assessment, a combination of online Moodle tests, essays and building reports. There will be no formal exams.
Student Skills Learnt: The aim of this special purpose award is to provide an introduction to historic building recording and conservation in Ireland over the course of three, 13 week modules. The aim of this programme is that participants will understand the evidence for medieval and post medieval settlement forms in Ireland and be able to demonstrate knowledge of material construction, architectural styles and the mechanisms of decay and deterioration across a range of building types and settlement forms. Students should show competency in approaching, recording, researching and describing historic buildings. Students will be familiar with the origins and philosophy behind historic building conservation, be cognisant of the legislative protection underpinning their conservation and apply the principles of best conservation practice. Participants should demonstrate knowledge of the methodological approach to assessing stone monuments and ruinous buildings In Ireland, evaluate their vulnerabilities and explain the mechanisms of their deterioration.
For further details, please contact:
Dr Shirley Markley - shirley.markley@atu.ie
Application Closing Date : 15th August 2025
Entry Requirements
Students will require an existing Level 6 qualification, or the equivalent in lived experience to secure entry. It is not essential to have a basic grounding in archaeology or built heritage but it is advantageous. Please contact the Course Coordinator, Dr Shirley Markley - shirley.markley@atu.ie if you have any questions.
Career Opportunities
The Certificate in Buildings Archaeology will be of benefit to owners, or prospective owners and occupiers, of historic buildings who wish to understand the guiding conservation principles and practice utilised in the research, recording, reuse and restoration of the historic built environment in Ireland.
This SPA will also be of benefit to local authority staff, other practicing professionals (archaeologists, architects, engineers, planners) and members of archaeological and historical societies who wish to develop and refresh their skill sets on the historic built environment.
The Certificate will be of benefit to those who currently work in the national and international tourist market and wish to upskill, including tourist bus drivers/guides, those in cultural heritage tourism, those who run their own tourism companies or heritage centres, and those who working with local community groups on heritage tourism and/or heritage education.
This SPA will also cater to the general public not desiring credits, both national and international, with an interest in archaeological and architectural stone monuments and historic buildings in Ireland.
Graduates of this SPA may find work as guides or volunteers in historic houses/castles, local museums and heritage centres or as guides on OPW sites. Graduates may also work as General Operatives or volunteers on research excavations and as General Operatives or volunteers on commercial excavations.
Further Study
Graduates may progress to another Level 6 or Level 7 SPA programme.
Programme Fees
Academic Year 2024/25 Fees
Total Programme Fees: €1,500
To help make the payment of fees more manageable for students who are self-funding their studies, tuition fees can be paid through payment instalment plans at ATU Sligo. For further information on instalment plans, please visit our Fees and Funding webpage.
If you apply and are approved for an online course at ATU Sligo, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of €250 to secure your place. Your deposit will then be credited against the course fees once you are registered as a student. Students at ATU Sligo are also eligible to claim tax relief at the standard rate for tuition fees.
For further information and guidance about Fees and Funding for online and part-time courses at ATU Sligo, click here.
If you are seeking to take your exams online, and you meet the eligibility criteria (overseas students and those with extenuating circumstances), an additional examinations fee will apply. For further information, please visit our Examinations webpage.
Course Format
Semester 1
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Constructing The Past: The Archaeology of Medieval and Post Medieval Settlement in Ireland AD400-190 | 05 |
| Historic Buildings: Origins, Principles and Recording | 05 |
Semester 2
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Historic Buildings: Conservation and Practice | 05 |